MIT Professor Jinhua Zhao has been appointed head of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP), effective July 1. Zhao, the Class of 1941 Professor of Cities and Transportation, is a globally recognized transportation planner whose research has influenced policy for agencies including Transport for London, Hong Kong's MTR, Japan Railways, and major U.S. transit authorities. He founded the MIT Mobility Initiative and the JTL Urban Mobility Lab, and hosts a weekly public MIT Mobility Forum drawing over 200 participants worldwide. As department head, Zhao aims to accelerate the translation of DUSP research into actionable guidance for city planners, transit agencies, and policymakers navigating challenges like AI integration, autonomous vehicles, and aging infrastructure.
